Principles:

As crafted by the groups, the new American Clean Energy Agenda calls for a number of bold steps.

These steps include: phasing out nuclear power, natural gas, coal and industrial biomass in favor of efficient use of renewable, non-polluting resources; opposition to a "clean energy standard" that includes coal, nuclear, oil, gas and unsustainable biomass; retooling federal "loan guarantees" to make smarter investments in renewable energy; greater emphasis on renewable energy and energy efficiency programs; and avoiding a future in which Americans suffer the consequences of mountaintop mining for coal and fracking of shale gas that is then exported for use in other nations.

The Agenda is guided by the Precautionary Principle, which dictates that lawmakers' priority must be protecting public health and natural resources. This principle should guide future policy toward a safe and sustainable energy future. We know there are alternatives with energy efficiency and off the shelf, sustainable energy wind and solar. A critical move away from the political power of the industry-driven 'business as usual' and 'all of the above' approach will only happen with grassroots organizing and a coming together around actionable political demands rooted in a principled approach to policy that puts the public welfare above politics and corporate influence.

Committee:

Initiated by the Civil Society Institute and the Environmental Working Group, the 36 convening organizations of the Committee for an American Clean Energy Agenda came together to craft the Principles in April 2012.

These organizations work on a variety of energy issues and represent a diverse coalition formed to promote a truly clean energy policy for the United States.

Once the Agenda was formed, the Committee has worked to promote the principles within their organizing work as well as promote the agenda among other coalitions and grassroots groups working to promote clean energy.

Resources:

Working hard to develop resources that help grassroots organizations...

The Committee for an American Clean Energy Agenda is working hard to develop resources that help grassroots organizations to promote these principles. Please use these reports, presentations, and surveys in your organizing and circulate widely.